University news

The University of Glasgow has celebrated the bicentenary of the birth of the pioneering scientist Lord Kelvin with a reception at the Palace of Westminster showcasing his life and achievements.
 
The event, on the evening on Tuesday 10th September, was attended by MPs, UK Government ministers and policymakers, who were joined by some of the country’s leading scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and academics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRAYVNdLos0
 
Patricia Ferguson, MP for Glasgow West, sponsored the reception, which was held in
Westminster Palace’s historic Churchill Room and hosted by Rachel Sandison, the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor - External Engagement and Vice Principal - External Relations.
 
Professor Chris Johnson, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, gave a speech reflecting on Kelvin’s lasting legacy and influence.
 
Attendees also heard a speech on Kelvin from Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell DBE, an astrophysicist and graduate of the University of Glasgow who discovered the first evidence of radio pulsars in 1967.
 
The reception was the latest in an ongoing series of celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the birth of William Thomson, Baron Kelvin of Largs, better known around the world as Lord Kelvin.
 
Born on June 26th 1824, Kelvin was one of the 19th century’s most accomplished scientists. His long career at the University of Glasgow began when he enrolled as its youngest-ever student at age 10. He spent 53 years as the University’s Chair of Natural Philosophy, where he made a series of pioneering breakthroughs in physics, engineering and mathematics.
 
His achievements include key contributions to the design and laying of the world’s first transatlantic telegraph cable, which enabled communications between Europe and the United States, and the development of the laws of thermodynamics. Today he is perhaps best-remembered today for establishing the absolute scale of temperature that we now know as the Kelvin scale.
 
Visitors to the reception were joined by some of the University’s leading academics, including Professor Sheila Rowan, the current holder of the Chair of Natural Philosophy, and Professor Miles Padgett, the Kelvin Chair of Natural Philosophy.

Rachel Sandison said: “We were delighted to welcome our guests and distinguished speakers to the Palace of Westminster to celebrate Lord Kelvin, one of the University’s greatest world-changers.
 
“We’ve been thrilled by the enthusiastic response our bicentenary celebrations have received so far from our international academic colleagues, University alumni, and the general public. It was a privilege to have this further opportunity to discuss how Kelvin helped shape the modern world, and how our researchers continue to advance his legacy across our University community today.”

 
Professor Chris Johnson said: “Lord Kelvin reminds us of the importance of maintaining a vibrant research culture throughout the nations of this country. He was born in Belfast but spent most of his working life at the University of Glasgow.  Serving as President of the Royal Society, he was the first scientist to be elevated to the House of Lords - his ideas went on to shape the world.  
 
“Having spent most of my life between Belfast and Glasgow, I have seldom been more than a few feet from his statues and his example continues to provide an inspiration for future generations of scientists and engineers.”

 

Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell said: “Lord Kelvin was an amazing scientist, and we are still benefitting from the work he did.”
 
Patricia Ferguson MP said: "It was a pleasure to welcome the University of Glasgow to Parliament to celebrate Lord Kelvin's 200th anniversary, and to see so many new MPs engaging with leaders from across academia and the science and engineering sector.”
 
For more information on Lord Kelvin’s life and legacy, visit the University’s Lord Kelvin 200 web pages.

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First published: 12 September 2024